Code Platoon is hosting a hackathon in a few short weeks. It’ll be a first for the Veteran and military spouse Coding Bootcamp and while we are all very excited for the upcoming event we had to ask ourselves a very important question. What is a hackathon?

Well, imagine for a moment that there is a room filled with some of the sharpest minds imaginable working towards a common goal with a finite amount of time. Sounds like a cause for a good, right?

That’s the bare essential of a hackathon, so don’t let the name of the event throw you off. Hackathon’s take place in the form of a limited-time activity with the specific purpose of solving a problem or creating something for a community in the way of software. It’s a marathon among good-doers, not for the criminal breed of hackers who want to break into your bank or twitter account.

The word ‘Hackathon’ is the blending of the words “hack” and “marathon.” The design of these events is akin to Film 48 competitions, where teams or individuals strive to create the best product within a set time limit and whatever resources are available.

Depending on the host of the event, the challenge can last anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours. The challenge programmers take on also vary. It could be creating an app that helps target and communicate with a particular group of people, designing a web interface for a company, maybe even making a mobile game for smartphones. Whatever the theme or case is, hackathons test participants’ skills on the spot while bringing some good into the world.

While the ultimate goal of a hackathon is to find a solution, nobody said it has to create a complete solution. Granted, it would be great if one could go from an idea to a fully developed application in two days or less without any bugs. Some hackathon creations have gone on to score significant payouts, too, but the main point is to get participants to test their innovations. As well as have a little fun hopefully.

Aside from the sprint challenge of creating a solution from scratch, hackathons can also be a great way to network. Whether you are attending a hackathon as a student, in the early stages of working as a programmer, an employer in need of a few good hires, or a seasoned professional in the field, interacting with fellow coders can lead to new opportunities for all. Some of these events also offer a chance to learn programming skills through workshops led by pros, skill levels ranging from novice to advanced and can be attended by people of all ages.

Code Platoon is hosting its first hackathon event Oct. 16-18, and you can consider this your invitation to join! Not ready for the challenge? No problem as there will also be virtual workshops on Intro to Coding, Cyber Security, React, and Tech Job Prep. Are you a Veteran or a military spouse who is interested in a Coding Bootcamp?  If so, please reach out to our Student Outreach Coordinator, Greg Drobny, at greg@codeplatoon.org today!

Amanda Michelle Gordon is Code Platoon’s Content Marketing Coordinator. She is a U.S. Air Force Veteran and a student of SUNY New Paltz for Journalism and Sociology. In her free time, Amanda enjoys reading, the outdoors, and turning coffee into copy. You can find Amanda on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Following that crazy time at the height of the Cold War known as the Space Race, many engineers and various people in the newborn stage of computer development began to recognize the value of computing technology and what that meant for the world as a whole.

These advancements had lifted man into the upper reaches of our atmosphere and even landed him on the moon—what else could they do?

But even prior to these events, the groundwork was being laid in another part of the country that would help set the stage for unprecedented growth in the field of technology. For reasons that are somewhat disputed—possibly because we like to argue a lot as humans—a great many of those who realized this potential gathered in a region of Central California known as Santa Clara Valley.

At one point responsible for producing 30% of the world’s plums, the bountiful farmland was a neighbor to Stanford University, which came into existence largely due to its namesake making a fortune with railroads bringing people and goods to and from these crops. Two alumni from the prestigious research institute became the original “garage startup” that still directly impacts how the computing world operates.

William Hewlett and David Packard began their business in 1939 by making electrical test equipment out of a one-car garage in Palo Alto at the behest of Frederick Terman, an electrical engineer with Stanford who not only helped turn the university’s program into one of the best, but also worked hard at convincing many of its graduates to stay in the area and also start their own businesses.

Both during and following the war, the Department of Defense began pouring money into the technological development groups in Stanford’s sphere of influence. Relevant to our concerns here is that, according to some sources, Stanford increased its Freshman class size in 1948 by over 1000, mostly due to the newly-formed GI Bill, which returning war veterans could use to go to college.

This led to a substantial increase in the fields of engineering specialists, and innovators in the field recognized that very thing. After some in-fighting that would take a soap opera to explain (or make you more confused, whichever), Nobel Prize winner William Shockley moved west and opened a semiconductor business in Mountain View, California and hired the best and the brightest Stanford had to offer.

These individuals were so good, in fact, that in a funny twist of fate they outsmarted their boss and recognized that the materials he was using for semiconductors was not as heat-resistant as other materials. After Shockley refused to change, the “traitorous eight” (as Shockley called them) left to form Fairchild Semiconductors in 1958 and produced the first integrated circuit on silicon—arguably the most important invention of the computer age.

To put this in perspective regarding the importance of timing of events and how it would impact the advancement of computing technology, it was 1957 that saw the first-ever human-created satellite orbiting the earth in space—the Soviet Union’s Sputnik-1. The immediate need for smaller, lighter, and more efficient computing technology was nowhere considered more important than the pun-intended launching of the Space Race, and the US government took note of what was happening in California.

With the Cold War becoming a greater and greater concern, many in the US saw the benefit of technology, even beyond the obvious uses in the Space Race. For example, it is a rather short line to draw from the US Department of Defense’s recognition of the need for advanced technologies to the creation of DARPA (Defense Advance Research Projects Agency) and subsequently ARPAnet—the precursor to the Internet.

The combination of private industry recognizing a need for integrated circuits that could house greater amounts of data in smaller spaces with Cold War concerns that compelled Defense Department agencies to subsidize these industry advancements (and demand more) led to an explosion of growth in the area we now know as Silicon Valley, with numerous top companies setting up shop there.

Two of the founders of Fairchild Semiconductors left that organization to found a company named Intel in 1968—one you may have heard of, given that they invented the first microprocessors and became one of the most successful and influential companies in the world. AT&T, Texas Instruments, and Energizer all debuted heavily influential products there. And Apple, whose innovations continue to reshape our world, seems to have arisen mostly from the desire to do something different than what everyone else was doing in the same area.

But there is a key moral to this story that goes beyond a simple history of how Silicon Valley shaped the computing world. While it is interesting to know how we got here, history is much better applied to the field of “lessons learned” than simply the novelty of the past, even in regards to the world of coding, and from the same lesson we can see both a cautionary note as well as an encouraging one.

The lesson here is that Silicon Valley is somewhat of a Black Swan, and flowing from that in true Nassim Taleb-like fashion are both warnings and inspiring admonitions. For example, the confluence of events leading to the innovations of Silicon Valley cannot be duplicated. World War II, the rise of the Soviet Union, the Space Race, and the invention of the integrated circuit were highly unique occurrences all in their own right, but the fact that these events took place in the lifespans of one generation—along with so many other factors—make this an impossible set of circumstances to recreate. Although other Black Swans will surely come along, be leery of those who race to duplicate the unpredictable.

The inspiration, however, is in the recognition that creativity often comes from not knowing any better and not having any rules constraining the creator simply by nature of the fact that they are not yet written. Those who developed the first microprocessor didn’t do so because it was written down that they had to do it—they needed something that worked more efficiently and were afforded the freedom to problem-solve the best way they saw fit.

Software engineering and development is, broadly speaking, about creating a solution to a problem that has never been solved by using the structures of languages while not being totally constrained by how it has been used in the past. Like writing a book, developing software may use the same language as numerous other books already published, but in a combination never before seen.

The history of Silicon Valley should show us that the goal is not to duplicate, but rather to learn the lessons of what really smart people have done and make it a little bit better. Come to Code Platoon to figure out how you can start doing exactly that in the world of computing and software development.

Greg Drobny is a former Airborne Infantryman, PSYOP Team Chief, political consultant, professional mil blogger, and is Code Platoon’s Student Outreach Coordinator. He holds a BA in history, a Masters of Science in organizational psychology, and is currently pursuing an MA in history. He is married with four children who keep him more than slightly busy and is passionate about helping veterans find their paths in life and develop the skills needed to pursue their goals.

Preparing for a new career field can be an exciting process, but finding the right training program can be daunting. One of the main factors in choosing the right fit is cost. It’s not easy managing a career change while balancing everyday expenses. As a mission-driven nonprofit, Code Platoon’s goal is to provide viable financial options to our Veterans and military spouses, creating one less barrier between our students and their next profession.

In this four-part series, you will learn a bit more about potential funding options and how you can apply them to your training at Code Platoon! In this post, we cover SkillBridge.

Skillbridge

In the last 180 days before separation from their service branch, Servicemembers are able to gain valuable skills they can apply to the civilian workforce through apprenticeships, internships, and hands-on training programs. While participating in SkillBridge, Servicemembers are able to continue to collect their military compensation and benefits.

The SkillBridge program, operated through the Department of Defense, is an excellent opportunity to seamlessly assist Servicemembers transition from their military careers and gain a headstart in the civilian sector. It’s programs like this that aid in not only lowering the rates of Veteran unemployment but elevate them into industries that they are historically less likely to be employed in. With an estimated 200,000 Servicemembers separating from the military each year, it’s vital for this population to take advantage of every opportunity afforded to them.

As an approved SkillBridge program, Code Platoon provides transitioning Servicemembers with an opportunity to develop in-demand job programming skills while still serving. Servicemembers who participate via SkillBridge can use their last 180 days of active duty to train in Code Platoon’s Full-time Coding Bootcamp.

Who is eligible: Military Servicemembers within 180 days of separation or retirement.

Benefit received: Skillbridge students are eligible to apply for Code Platoon scholarships, up to $16,000. You may also be eligible to use your GI Bill benefits if you attend in-person at our Chicago classroom.

Why SkillBridge might be a good fit for you: If you are within 180 days of separation or retirement, this is a great opportunity. You will be able to train with Code Platoon, increasing your employability immediately upon graduation.

How to Apply: You must work with your commanding officer to secure approval. We have an MOU with the Navy, which we can provide. We also have an Introductory Letter and Command Authorization form that you can use. Our team is available to provide individualized assistance to Skillbridge students, as we know each commanding officer may require something different.

Any questions? Email Greg, our prospective student outreach coordinator, at greg@codeplatoon.org

Alicia Boddy is Code Platoon’s Chief Operations and Development Officer. Alicia oversees Code Platoon’s day to day activities including fundraising, grant writing, board development, and strategic planning. Alicia also serves as our VA certifying official, helping students navigate their benefits with the Department of Veteran Affairs. Alicia loves living in Chicago with her husband, Jeff, and three kids. You can often find them exploring the city, eating Lou Malnati’s pizza, and cheering on the Cubs, Blackhawks, and Buckeyes!